AVAILABLE NOW
February 2012

ON THE COVER…

The final end of USAF SR-71 operations in 1997 came after many a previous attempt to ground this most spectacular of strategic reconnaissance assets. The story behind it was one of seemingly endless political and military in-fighting, one from which the ‘Habu’ was ultimately unable to escape. Shown on the cover is SR-71A 64-17971 of the 9th RW’s Det 2, cruising over California’s majestic Sierras during a training mission in the type’s final weeks of operation.
Cover image by Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics

Welcome to Classic Aircraft

If your interest is in the greatest years of aviation and the glory days of charismatic aircraft, then Classic Aircraft is the magazine for you.

From the most famous airliners to the most exciting military jets of all time, our coverage is second to none. Classic Aircraft places its focus on the jet and propeller-driven types of the post-war years, covering the developments in military aviation and fascinating operations during the Cold War period, and the huge changes that swept through the airline world as mass air travel became a reality.

But there's much more to the history in Classic Aircraft than that. We cover the heroes of World War Two, the inter-war period, World War One and the pioneer aviators; we also report on the vibrant aircraft preservation scene. Whatever the subject, stunning imagery accompanies informed, in-depth, intelligent articles from authors passionate about aviation, including ‘behind the scenes’ first-hand accounts and revealing 'from the cockpit' stories. Aviation writing gets no better.

Every issue is also packed with the latest event reports, opinionated columns and product reviews, while special free supplements throughout the year are not to be missed.
Classic Aircraft — the magazine for the aviation aficionado.

• SPECIAL REPORT
  Commemorating the Berlin Airlift,
  60 years on - a special Classic Aircraft online report
• EDITOR'S BLOG
  Latest news and views from Editor Ben Dunnell
  - Post your own comments!
• FLIGHT SIM REVIEWS
  Every month Jay Slater reviews what's
  hot and what's not in the world of flight sim!

• Editor's Blog
• Magazine Forum
• Editor's Choice Photos
• Flight Sim Reviews
• Book of the month
• 2011 Airshow Calendar
• Special Online Reports
• 40 Years of Aircraft Illustrated
• 40 Greatest Aircraft
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